cclx'iv 



2i inches, while the average rainfall for May is here 4^ inches, such as it 

 was in 1S75 and 1873, in 1872 even 6\ inches: but lighter rains fell very 

 often, for the first sixteen days of the month almost daily, so that the 

 ground during that period never could become dry. 



The greatest average rainfall is always to be expected in this region in 

 June, and the first few days of this month seem to verify this old experi- 

 ence, and may harm the farmer and cause the rivers to overflow. I will 

 not go back further than to remind you that in 1875 we had over 10 inches 

 and in 1S73 nearly 9 inches of rain in that month. The average I find to 

 be 5 inches. 



Mi". Hilder exhibited a long-necked vessel of the form so com- 

 monly taken from the mounds, the decoration of which is quite 

 elaborate. The groundwork is red, on which, near the base of 

 the neck, is inscribed in a darker red, four crosses surrounded by 

 circles. Two of these, which are 180 deg. apart, are surrounded 

 by a representation of the sun. The lower part of the vessel is 

 also decorated with small circles, some of which do, and some 

 do not, contain a cross within them. 



Col. Croswell gave an account of his expedition, promising a 

 paper for the next meeting. 



E. M. Boslev was elected an Associate Member. 



June 18, 1877. 



Dr. Geo. Engelmann in the chair. 



Xine members present. 



W. B. Potter, chairman of the Archaeological Section, made a 

 monthly report of the work of the Section, of which the following 

 is an abstract : 



As the result of the expedition to S.E. Missouri, carried on by the Sec- 

 tion, 326 specimens of pottery have been obtained, an engraved shell of 

 great interest, 18 skulls, and a number of bones of associated animals, 

 besides a large amount of valuable information. 



The Section has undertaken the publication of a work, on the ancient 

 remains of this region, to be composed of several parts, as follows : Part I. 

 to include results of surveys of mounds and other works, with sketches and 

 sections, accompanied by descriptive text; Part II., Description of the 

 Pottery found, with lithographs of characteristic and peculiar forms; Part 

 III., Human and other animal remains; Part IV., Implements. 



Mr. Croswell read a paper on "'Mound Explorations in South.- 



